The first match of FIFA World Cup 26™ kicks off in Atlanta in June — and so will one of the largest transportation challenges metro Atlanta has faced in decades. As an employer, you’re probably wondering whether and how employees can reliably get to work, meetings, job sites, and customers during six weeks of unprecedented congestion, road restrictions, and travel delays.
Businesses that prepare now will be far better positioned to keep work moving smoothly and help employees feel less stressed. The question is: Do you have a game plan?
The Scale Will Be Massive
Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches at the Atlanta (Mercedes Benz) Stadium. Each game is expected to attract roughly 65,000 fans inside the stadium alone — with regional impacts that will stretch far beyond the venue or the city itself.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to flow through metro Atlanta during the tournament. Hotels, restaurants, airports, entertainment districts, and transit hubs will all experience a surge in activity for weeks. To put the scale into perspective:
- The World Cup is expected to generate between $500 million to more than $1 billion in economic impact for the region.
- Atlanta leaders have described it as the city’s largest major sporting event since the 1996 Olympics.
- Activity will extend across six weeks — not just a single weekend or championship game, with watch parties and FIFA Fan FestivalTM activities.
As for transportation impacts, commuters should expect:
- Major interstate congestion
- Delays around Buckhead, Downtown and Midtown areas
- Road closures and security perimeters
- Police escorts and temporary traffic stoppages for VIP delegations
Transportation experts say traffic delays on match days could begin up to three hours before kickoff and continue long after matches end. The challenge won’t only affect fans heading to games. Employees trying to get to work will also experience disruptions.
The good news is that Atlanta’s transit agencies are prepared. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is increasing rail service significantly on match days, with extended hours. Bus schedules will remain unchanged. That expanded service creates a major opportunity for employers to encourage transit use and help employees avoid some of the worst roadway congestion. But employees will still need guidance, flexibility, and a plan.
Flexibility Can Be a Competitive Advantage
Businesses that proactively address commuting challenges now can help reduce stress, improve productivity, and maintain smoother operations throughout the tournament. One of the most effective strategies may simply be flexibility. Companies should consider whether certain employees can temporarily telework or operate on hybrid schedules during the six-week World Cup period. Even reducing the number of commuters on the road a few days each week can make a meaningful difference.
Flexible scheduling can also help employees avoid the heaviest congestion windows. Employers may want to:
- Allow earlier or later start times
- Stagger shifts
- Adjust meeting schedules
- Encourage compressed workweeks where feasible
- Expand remote meeting options
For organizations who need staff on site, you can improve on-time starts and reduce employees’ stress by encouraging them to explore alternate commuting options ahead of time. That may include:
- Using MARTA rail service
- Coordinating carpools or vanpools
- Combining transit with biking or scooters
- Identifying alternate routes before match days
- Monitoring traffic alerts and road closures
Leading employers recognize that commute stress directly affects morale, engagement, and retention. Helping employees navigate the World Cup commute challenge is not just operationally smart — it also demonstrates care for employee well-being.
Score Free Resources from GCO
The good news is you do not have to figure this out alone. Georgia Commute Options’ (GCO) World Cup commute planning website offers free tools and guidance to help employers and commuters prepare for the transportation impacts of the World Cup. The site includes:
- FIFA World Cup 26™ FlexWork Toolkit, replete with practical flexwork strategies, tips for planning and communication, and tools you can use right away with your team
- Transit and alternative commute resources to share with employees
- Game-day schedules and tips for avoiding congestion
- A recorded webinar that covers how to prepare for possible impacts to business with insights from special guests William Pate of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lenor Bromberg from the Atlanta Department of Transportation, and Johann Weber from GCO
The World Cup will bring tremendous excitement and global attention to Atlanta. It will also place extraordinary pressure on the region’s transportation systems. Businesses that prepare now can help employees avoid unnecessary stress, reduce operational disruptions, and keep teams moving throughout the tournament.
Visit Georgia Commute Options’ World Cup page to download the employer toolkit and watch the recorded webinar.
Georgia Commute Options—a program made possible by the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Department of Transportation—works with businesses, property managers, CIDs and local transportation management associations to develop and implement commute programs and services that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality across the region.